When Life Gives You Lemons, Give Thanks
I never intended to put this post on Happy Professor (I wrote it some months ago), but the longer I teach, the more I hear about the private struggles of other instructors (related to office politics on the physical campus, being bullied by students in online courses, or reading heartbreaking student criticism at the end of the term).
These stories are rare, but they always make me want to help.
Given the season, I encourage you to embrace your trials and give thanks for the opportunity to grow stronger.
Love Erin
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I am a perfectionist.
It’s hard enough for me to have simply made a mistake, but when it’s a more public incident that others immediately take note of, I just want the earth to swallow me whole.
I think we’ve all been there.
Luckily, I have a selective memory, forgetting most of the guilt and humiliation associated with such events, and only remembering the lesson and a vague recollection of the incident each time I take one of these missteps- in relationships, career, and life in general.
I’ve been incredibly careful (more careful than I realized) to make very few mistakes over the past few years. Going above and beyond to prove my worth, and then riding the wave of small successes that followed persistently for years.
Which may be why one personal ‘failure’ this year knocked me so completely off my feet.
I can be hard on myself, but that doesn’t change the fact that I will always look for the silver lining, because that’s how I survive and eventually thrive. It’s how we all do.
I sought out a few good friends who trusted me and know my heart, and most importantly, would be positive influences.
This is what they taught me this time around:
- Time will heal; all mistakes and hurt really will get better.
- Some of the hardest things in life teach us the most important and lasting lessons (even if they seem unbearable for a while).
- Remember the value of this experience: Make a list of everything you’ve gained from this, write it with love, and put copies of it throughout your home.
It was a work in progress, but I reminded myself of the 3 above items as often as possible. And, for a time, I reread my redundant lists of positivity.
Looking back, this small challenge may just change everything, and it might just be positive change. Maybe.
So there you have it. When life gives you lemons, don’t give up. Persist, learn, love, grow, and give thanks.
Happy living.